Electric-meter and panel-board cabinet.



W. WURDAGK- ELECTRIC METER AND PANEL BOARD CABINET.

APPLICATION TILED 0OT.19, 1910.

Patented 001;. 15, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. WURDAOK.

ELECTRIC METER AND PANEL BOARD CABINET.

APPLICATION TILED 001.19, 1910.

Patented Oct. 15, 1912.

. 2 SHEET8SHEET z.

UNI ED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM WURDACK, OF ST. IiOUIS, MISSOURI.

ELECTRIC-METER AND PANEL-BOARD CABINET.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Oct. 15,1912.

/ Application filed October 19, 1910. Serial No. 587,909.

To all whom "it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM the city of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Electric- Meter and Panel-Board Cabinet, of which the following is a specification, reference be-.

ing had' to the accompanying drawings,

' forming a part hereof, in which view thereof with the cover or top removed, showing the meter, panel-board, and the electrical connections or wiring therebetween; Flg. 4 1s a sectional vlew on the hue 4 4, Fig. 3; and Fig. is a bottom plan view of the panel-board.

This invention relates to a certain new and useful electric-meter and panel-board and all parts of the circuit within the cabinet and ahead of the meter are protected and prevented from. being tampered with by unauthorized persons; to provide in an electric-lighting or other circuit an auxiliary switch and fuses adapted to be thrown or out into and complete the circuit on an interruption or blowing of a main fuse therein; to improve generally upon the construction of panel-boards;,to provide a cabinet of the kind stated with a cover adjustable relatively thereto; and;v to simplify and improve generally upon electric meter and panel-board cabinets and upon not only the arrangement of the electric-meter .and panelboard in an electric-lighting or other circuit, but also the wiring or other electrical connections therebetween.

With these objects in view, my invention resides in the novel construction .of the several parts thereof and inv the novel arrangement and combination of the same, all as will hereinafter be described and afterward pointed out in the claims.

My new meter and panel-board cabinet and thearrangement therein of the meter, panel-board, and wiring therebetween is WURDAOK,. a citizen of the United States. residing at.

shown and will be described herein in connection with an electric-circuit adapted for lighting purposes; but it is to be understood that the same might equally well be employed in connection with an electric-circuit adapted for other purposes.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters or numerals refer to like parts throughout the several. views, 1 indicates the cabinet-box, which may be of any suitable material, preferably sheet metal, and which comprises a bottom-wall 2, end-walls 33, and'side-walls 4-4. A suit-able cover or top 5- is adapted to be preferably removably and adjustably secured to said box 1, as

hereinafter more fully described. Box 1. is

adapted to be arranged preferably in the wall of a building, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, with the outer edges of its said end and side walls substantially flush with the surface thereof.

Arranged preferably in the upper portion of box 1, as shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 3, and secured to said bottom-wall 2 in any suitable manner, as by screws 6, is a preferably wooden tablet or slab 6, upon which an electric-meter 7 of any approved construction and having the usual dials 7 is adapted to be suitably arranged and secured. .This Wooden tablet or slab 6 is preferably of such a size as to accommodate meters of varying kinds and construction.

Arranged preferably in the lower portion of box 1, as shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 3, is a preferably slate tablet or slab 8, saidtablet or slab 8 resting upon, and being preferably spaced from said bottom-wall 2 by, suitable perforated spacing-bosses 9 and being secured to, and held in proper position on, said bosses preferably by means of screws 9*. It will be noted that the openings in said slab .8 for said screws 9 are prefer-.

suitable construction. These fuse-plugs, or

fuses, as they might properly be called, are likewise arranged and operate in pairs, and for convenience of reference, I have nummore or less lamp circuits than the number thereof herein shown. Arranged ,on said tablet 8 preferably above said sockets 10 is a main switch 16 and also an auxiliary switch 17, for purposes hereinafter appearing. These switches 16 and 17 are preferably double-pole snap-switches of any approved construction and are arranged on tablet, 8 preferably side by side, as shown particularly in Fig. 3. Arranged on said tablet 8 preferably above said switches 16 and 17, as shown particularly in Fig. 3, and secured to said tablet in any suitable man'- ner, are a plurality of main fuse-plug sockets 18 preferably similar to said sockets 10, inv

and with which sockets 18 are adapted to fit and cooperate main-fuse-plugs or fuses which are also preferably S1II11l8,1,l30 said lamp'circuit fuseplugs or fuses hereinbe fore mentioned. In the system of electrical distribution herein shown, there are preferably five said main sockets 18 and likewise five said main fuse-plugs or fusesone pair 19-19 for the main switch 16, one pair 20-20 for theauxiliary switch 17, and one 21 for the neutral line wire N. Ttwill be understood that, while I have herein shown and prefer to use fuses of the plug type as described, any other suitable type of fuse might be used in lieu-thereof.

22 indicates a main bus bar which extends preferably centrally along tablet 8between said switches 16 and 17 and said main and auxiliary fuse-sockets, as shown particularly in Fig. 3, being electrically connected to said fuse 21 and its socket 18 and, at its upper end, being preferably provided with a suitable terminal 23. With this terminal 23, said neutral line wire N is suitably electrically connected, this wire N leading to the service mains (not shown), as is well understood.

24 indicates a small bus bar extending-laterally of, and electrically connected to, said main bus bar 22, this bus bar 24 communicating electrically through, say, fuses 12 and 14: with, respectively, lamp-circuit wires A and B, see particularly Fig. 3. And 25 indicates a similar bus bar likewise extending laterally of, 'and electrically connected to, said bus bar 22, this bus bar 25 communicating electrically through fuses 13 and 15 with,

noeneee respectively, lamp-circuit wires C and l). Additional bus bars may be similarly arranged and connected for additional lampcircuits, as will be obvious, Y

r. and r. indicate the line wires leading from the service mains and electrically con 'nected, respectively, to suit-able terminals 26.

iary switches and said main and lamp-circuit or distributing fuses mounted thereon preferably as described, being arranged in box 1 also preferably as described, the circuit to the meter is preferably completed as follows, referring now particularly to Figs. 3 and 5: On one side, fromwire L and its said terminal 26, through fuse'19, through wire 27 to terminal 28 of main switch 16, then across said switch, the switch being turned or snapped to On position, to diagonally opposite terminal 28 thereof, through wire 29 to a suitable terminal-block 30 arranged on and secured totablet 8 preferably near the upper end thereof, through primary-wire'ferminal 30 preferably removably secured to block 30, and then through primary wire 31; on the other side, from wire L and its said terminal 26, through fuse 19*, through wire 27 to terminal 28 of main switch, then across said switch, the switch being turned or snapped to On position, to diagonally opposite terminal 28 thereof, through wire 29 to a suitable terminal-block 30 arranged on and ing said tablet 8, and said main and auxilsecured to tablet 8 preferably near the upper end thereof, through primary-wire terminal 30 preferably removably secured to block 30, and then through primary wire 31. From meter 7 the current is led or distributed by secondary wires 32 and 32, through, respectively, terminals 33 and 33 and terminal-blocks 34 and 34, said terminals and terminal-blocks being preferably similar to said terminals 30 and 30 and terminal-blocks 30 and 30 and likewise similarly arranged on said tablet 8, to lamp-circuit fuses 12 and 13 on one side and to lamp-circuit fuses 14 and 15? on the other, the current then flowing from fuses 12 and 13*, on one side, through wires A and C to the lamps (not shown), and then back through wires A and C to neutral wire N, and from fuses lt and 15, on the other .side, through wires 18' and D to the lamps,

ire

I vided for, if desired. Now, ordinarily or bolt 43 and its cooperating nut 43". Nearnormally the auxiliary switch 17 and its .fuses 20-20 are not thrown into or included in said circuit, said switch being normally in Off position. However, should one of said fuses 19 or 19 blow and the circuit be thereby interrupted, then said auxiliary switch 17 is snapped to On posltion and cut into the circuit, when said circuit will now be completed, on'one side, from said wire L and its terminal 26, through fuse 20, through wire 36 to terminal 37 of auxiliary switch 17, then across said switch to diagonally opposite terminal 37 thereof, through wire 38 to terminal 28 of main switch 16, and then to the metenas hereinbefore described, and, on the other side, from wire-L and its terminal 26', through fuse 20, through wire 36 to terminal 37 b of auxiliary switch 17, then across said switch to diagonally opposite terminal 37 thereof, through wire 38' to terminal 28 of main switch 16, and then to the meter as hereinbefore described. Thus, when said main switch 16 is in ()n position and said auxiliary switch 17 is in Ofi' position, it will clearly be indicated to the user that only main switch 16 is closed and its fuses 1S) 19 in service; when, however, both switches are in On position, it will further be clearly indicated to the user. that both switches are closed and auxiliary fuses 20- 20 in service.

Cover 5 hereinbefore mentioned is provided at its sides with a suitable border or trim 39 adapted to project, when the cover 5 is in position, over and beyond the end and side walls of box 1. This cover 5 is also preferably made-up of or comprises two portions an .upper portion 40 and a lower portion 41, said upper portion 40 projecting outwardly beyond the plane of portion 41 to accommodate meter 7 as clearly shown in Fig. 2, and being provided with a section of glass 42through which them'eter-dials 7 may be easily read, and portions 40 and'41 being provided with meeting shouldered ends, as at 43, where said portions are releasably seeuredand. held together in any suitable manner, as by means of a screw or its upper end, lower portion 41 of cover 5 is provided with a suitable opening adapted to be removably closed by a suitable door 44 hinged to said portion 41, as at 44*, and

through which opening access may be had to said main fuses hereinbefore referred to when said door 44 is in open position. This door 44is provided preferably with a small slot or opening, as at 44, through which, when said door is in closed position, a suitable staple 45 on said portion 41 is adapted to pass, this door 44, for purposes hereinafter appearing, being preferably releasably sealed in closed position, asby means of a suitable seal 46. Below said door 44, this lower ortion 41 of cover 5 is provided wlth suitab e openings, as at 47 and 47 to accommodate, respectively, said main and auxiliary switches; and below said switch-openings, this lower portion 4101? cover 5 is further provided with another suitable openin adapted to be removably closed by a suitable door 48 hin ed to portion 41, as at 48 and through which opening access may be had to said lamp-circuit fuses hereinbe fore referredto when door 48 is in open position, this door 48 being preferably releasably held in closed position by means of a suitable catch or latch 49, as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 4.

Now, while, as before stated, box 1' is adapted to be preferably arranged in a wall with the outer edges of its end and side walls flush with the surface thereof, the box being disposed preferably vertically relatively to said wall, at times, due to faults or irre ularities in construction the said box may be so arranged in said wall as not to be exactly vertically disposed relatively thereto or the outer edges of its said end and side walls may perhaps be below and not flush with the surface of said wall. For this reason, and in order that a neat appearance may be had when cover 5 is in closed position over said box, cover 5 is adapted to be preferably adjustably secured in proper position and, for this purpose, is provided near its sides with a plurality of angle members or brackets 50 adapted to be not only adjustably secured to cover 5, but also adapt ed to be adjust-ably secured to the end and side walls of box 1. As said angle members or brackets 50 and their manner or mode of attachment are'similar, the construction of but one thereof and its mode or mannerof attachment will be here described, referring now particularly to the lower part of Fig. 2. The upwardly-extending leg or portion 50' of said angle-bracket 50 there shown is normally loosely secured to cover 5 by means of a suitable bolt 51 and its cooperating nut 52, the opening for said bolt 51 through said leg being of somewhat greater diameter than the diameter of said bolt, whereby, as will be clear, cover 5, when placed in position, may be moved around or laterally adjusted, as it might be said, to proper position to neatly fit preferably exactly verti cally disposed relatively to said wall, nut 52 being afterward screwed down on its bolt 51 to lock said cover in such position. The other or inwardly-extending leg 50 of said angle-bracket 50 is provided with an elongated slot, as at 53, through and with which a suitable bolt 54 is adaptedto pass and cooperate, whereby, as will also be clear, said cover 5 may be adjusted outwardly to fit closely against said wall should the outer edges of said end and side walls of box 1 position.

. with by unauthorized persons, cover 5 is preferably-releasably sealed in such closed position by means of suitable seals 56 arranged on said bolts 51. I Now, should any particular lamp-circuit become interrupted by the blowing of the fuse orfuses thereln, the door 48 may be readily opened bythe person in 'whose house or building the cabinet may be arranged, the blown fuse removed, and a new fuse placed in position. It will be noticed that, even with door 48 in open position, the said switches being arranged as shown, access can not be had to the meteror to parts of the circuit within the cabinet and ahead of the meter. Should, however, the main-switch-circuit be interruptedby the blowing of one of said main fuses 19 or 19", door 44 being sealed in closed position so that the blown fuse can not be removed by such person, auxiliary switch 17 is now turned or snapped to On position, thereby bringing into service said auxiliary fuses 20 and 20 and completing the circuit as hereinbefore described. The person authorized to opendoor 44 being now notified of the blowing of such main fuse,

such authorized person in due time removes seal 46, opens door 44, removes the blown I fuse and places a new fuse in position, and

' sealed in such position as before.

then snaps auxiliary fuse 17 to Uff position, door 44 being afterward closed and It will further be noted that, should it be desired to test the meter, nut 43 may be unscrewed from its bolt 43 and seal 56 and nut 52 removed from bolt 51 by an authorized per son, when upper portion 40 of cover 5 may be readily removed and, the meter and panelpurpose.

board being arranged. in box 1 as shown, the meter-terminals are easily accessible for such I am aware that minor changes in the arrangement, construction, and combination of the several parts of my invention may be made. and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters 4 Patent is 1. A cabinet of the kind stated comprising a box-shaped body-portion open at its top, adetachable sectional cover fitting thereover and adapted to close the open top rotates thereof, and adjustable cover-holding means arranged within said body-portion and removably secured directly to both said bodylar, adjustment of said cover relatively to said body-portion and to also detachably hold said cover in closed adjusted position on said body-portion, substantially as described.

2. A cabinet of the kind stated comprising a box-shaped body-portion open at its top, a detachable sectional cover fitting thereover and adapted to close the open top thereof, angle-brackets within said bodyportion, and securing-means extending from within said body-portion through said bodyportion and cover to'the exterior and removably securing said angle-brackets directly to said body-portion and to said cover, I said angle-brackets being adapted to permit of either lateral or perpendicular, or both lateral and perpendicular, adjustment of said cover relatively to said body-portion and said angle-brackets and securin -means being adapted to detachably hold said cover in closed adjusted position on said bodyportion; substantially as described.

3. A cabinet of the kind stated comprising a box-shaped body-portion open at its top, a detachable sectional cover fitting thereover and adapted to close the open top thereof, angle-brackets within said bodyportion and having one leg thereof provided with an elongated slot and the other leg with an enlarged opening, and throughbolts fitting in said'slots and openings of said angle-brackets and extending from within said body-portion through said bodyportion and cover to the exterior and provided with securing-nuts on their outer ends, said angle-brackets being adapted, on the loosening ofsaid nuts, to permit of either lateral or perpendicular, or both lateral and perpendicular, adjustment of said cover relatively to said body-portion and said through-bolts and angle-brackets being adapted, on the tightening of said securingnuts against said body-portion and cover, to detachably hold said cover in closed ad justed position on said 'body-portion; substantially as described.

4. The combination with an electric circuit comprising line-wires, main fuses, a main switch, and distributing-circuits, of an auxiliary switch normally out of said-circuit, but adapted to be cut into said circuiton the blowing of one of said main fuses, said circuit being completed through both said switches when said auxiliary switch is cut thereinto; substantially as described.

5. The combination with an electric circuit comprising line-wires, main fuses, a main switch, and distributing-circuits, of

an auxiliary switch and auxiliary fuses normally out of said circuit, but adapted to be cut into said circuit on the blowing of one of said main fuses, said circuit being completed through both said switches when said auxiliary switch is cut thereinto; substantially as described.

6. The combination with an electric circuit comprising line-wires, main fuses, a main switch, and distributing-circuits, of an auxiliary switch and auxiliary fuses electrically connected to said line-wires and to said main-switch and normally out of said circuit, but adapted to be cut into said circuit on the blowing of one of said main fuses, said circuit being completed through both said switches when said auxiliary switch is cut thereinto; substantially as described.

7. A panel-board comprising a tablet, a plurality of main-fuses mounted thereon adapted to be electrically connected to the line-wires of an electric circuit, a plurality of auxiliary main-fuses also mounted on said tablet adapted to be electrically connected to said line wires, a plurality of distributing-circuit-fuses also mounted on said tablet adapted to be electrically connected to distributing-circuit-wires, a main switch also mounted on said tablet and electrically connected to said main-fuses, and an auxiliary main switch also mounted on said tablet and electrically connected to said main switch and to said auxiliary main fuses; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM WURDAGK.

Witnesses:

RUTH PETERSON, GEORGE G. EIoHBAUM. 

